Homeowners in San Diego County Maximize your property’s potential- add additional Housing and Income Property Opportunities to your home – San Diego County’s ADU regulations explained

San Diego County has recently updated its ADU regulations, making it easier than ever to build an accessory dwelling unit on your property. However, navigating the complex world of ADU regulations can be challenging. Our comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about building an ADU in San Diego County, from zoning laws to permit processes. Whether you’re a homeowner, contractor, or investor, our guide will help you maximize your property’s potential with an ADU

  

ADU/JADU Updates | Sept. 2022

• The San Diego Housing Commission’s (SDHC) Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Finance Program helps homeowners with low income in the City of San Diego build ADUs on their property. The program provides financial assistance in the form of construction loans and technical assistance that helps homeowners understand and complete the process of building an ADU. Learn more. 
• Have questions about building an ADU on your property? Schedule a free virtual Planning and Zoning appointment.
• New  Info Bulletin!! 
• View the  regulations outside the Coastal Overlay Zone effective April 10, 2022, including new setback and landscape requirements. 
• View the regulations within the Coastal Overlay Zone certified by the California Coastal Commission on Sept.  7, 2022, which includes a Process 1 Coastal Development Permit for non-appealable areas. 

If you live in the unincorporated area of the County of San Diego, please click here for the complete Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Unit (JADU) regulations.

If your property is within the County of San Diego, one ADU and one JADU may potentially be permitted on lots with an existing or proposed dwelling unit.

To find out if you live in the unincorporated area of the County of San Diego please click here.

What is an ADU

An ADU is broadly defined as a detached or attached dwelling unit that provides complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons and must be located on the same legal lot as the primary dwelling unit. Please click here for the complete ADU & JADU regulations. Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) are also commonly known as granny flats, in-law units, secondary suites, backyard cottages, Mother-in-law house, home additions, Tiny homes, carriage houses, or accessory apartments. These are all terms used to describe a self-contained living space that is secondary to the main home on a single-family lot. What is a JADU? A JADU must be completely contained within an existing or proposed residence and cannot exceed 500 square feet.

NEW! Browse Pre-Approved County Standard ADU Building Plans!

ADU’s and JADU’s can be created in many different shapes and styles:

Where is an ADU allowed? An ADU can be located on residentially zoned property that has an existing single-family residence. For a complete list of ADU requirements, please click here.

Is a building permit required for an ADU? Yes, you will be required to obtain a Building Permit to ensure that the new house meets all the zoning, building, health & safety codes.

What size ADU is allowed? How big? An ADU is intended to be secondary in size to the single-family residence. An ADU attached to a primary dwelling may be up to 50% of the size of the single-family residence, up to a maximum of 1,200 square feet. An ADU detached from the single-family residence may be up to 1,200 square feet, regardless of the size of the residence.

Examples for allowable ADU sizes are provided below:

Square Footage of Existing single-family residence (SFD)	Maximum Allowed Square Footage for Detached ADU	Maximum Allowed Square Footage for Attached ADU (up to 50% of SFD)
1,800 sq. ft.	1,200 sq. ft.	900 sq. ft.
2,000 sq. ft.	1,200 sq. ft.	1,000 sq. ft.
3,000 sq. ft.	1,200 sq. ft.	1,200 sq. ft.
4,500 sq. ft.	1,200 sq. ft.	1,200 sq. ft.

After reviewing the information provided on ADU’s and JADU’s, if you still have any questions please contact us via email at PDS.ADUquestions@sdcounty.ca.gov or PDSZoningPermitCounter@sdcounty.ca.gov

To find out how your property is zoned, please click here and enter your APN # on the upcoming screen.
For the complete list of ADU & JADU regulations, please click here.
For Instructions for obtaining a building permit, please click here.
For the min. plot plan requirements, please click here.

What Is an ADU!!

ADUs are detached or attached accessory structures on a residential lot that provide independent living areas. ADUs are intended as permanent housing solutions and shall not be used for rental terms of less than 31 consecutive days.

ADUs can be integrated into existing single-family or multi-family properties. They can be designed in various ways, including converting a portion of an existing house, adding to the existing house, converting an existing garage or constructing a new detached structure. Learn more about  ADUs and JADUs. 

Highlights

ADUs and JADUs are an integral part of the City’s Housing SD initiatives to increase housing affordability and supply citywide. The City has amended regulations that make it easier and less expensive to build ADUs and JADUs, providing affordable and below-market housing throughout the City.

Some of these changes include:

• Digital plan review, expedited processing and construction inspection times.
• A property with a Single Dwelling Unit may have both an ADU and a JADU.
• A property with Multiple Dwelling Units may have two detached ADUs and may convert habitable and non-habitable spaces to ADUs.
• The maximum size is 1,200 square feet, attached or detached.
• Encroachments into the side and rear yards.
• No parking required: Replacement parking is not required for conversions of garages.
• Bonus ADU Program for Affordable ADUs.
• Rental terms are for a minimum of 31 days.
• Waiving Development Impact Fees, Facility Benefit Assessment Fees and General Plan Maintenance Fees.
• Allowing the use of permit-ready, no-cost building plans from the County of San Diego and the City of Encinitas Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) program. The plans still must meet the City of San Diego submittal guidelines for a building permit.

Municipal Code

•  Effective Nov. 29, 2020, Amended ADU and JADU Regulations Outside Coastal Overlay Zone
  Within the Coastal Overlay Zone, amendments will not apply until the California Coastal Commission certifies it as a Local Coastal Program Amendment. View the  Strikeout Ordinance highlighting changes.
• Building Permit Procedures
  •  Who may prepare Plans, Reports, Calculations, etc.?
  •  Building Permit Application Extensions and Expirations
  •  Building Permit Utilization
  •  Building Permit Expiration and Extension
• Additions and Modifications to the California Codes
  • California Building Code – Chapter 14, Article 5, Division 1 – 36
  • California Residential Code – Chapter 14, Article 9, Division 1- 45
  • California Green Building Standards Code – Chapter 14, Article 10, Division 1-6
  • California Existing Building Code – Chapter 14, Article 11, Division 1 – 1

Submittal Requirements

•  Guide to Project Submittal Process, Section 1
•  Construction Permits – Structures, Section 2
•  Single Dwelling Unit/Duplex and Accessory Structures, Section 2A

Fee Schedule

•  Information Bulletin 501 – Construction Permits for Structures
•  Information Bulletin 146 – School Fees

Inspections

•  Information Bulletin 120 – Project Inspections

Publications and Resources

• ADU and JADU Map: Conduct searches for ADUs and JADUs in the City of San Diego by location, time frame and application status. 
• California Department of Housing and Urban Development ADU Handbook 
•  City of San Diego ADU Fact Sheet
•  Information Bulletin 101 – Building Valuation
•  Information Bulletin 117 – Building Permit Extension and Expiration
•  Information Bulletin 118 – Construction Changes
•  Information Bulletin 140 – Residential Addition/Remodel
•  Information Bulletin 152 – Building Permit Submittal
•  Information Bulletin 153 – Building Permit Issuance
•  Information Bulletin 400 – ADU/Junior ADU
•  Technical Bulletin RESD-3-4 – Sprinkler Requirements for ADUs
• Permit-ready design/building plans:
  1. City of Encinitas Permit-Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (PRADU) program* 
  2. County of San Diego*

*Contact each jurisdiction for the latest version of their plans. Once customized for your application, they must be submitted in PDF format.  View PDF requirements.

County Standard ADU Building Plans

To see if you live in one of the unincorporated communities where our
fee waiver program and pre-approved plans may be used, please click here.

County standard ADU plan types are arranged by square footage and layout. Please download and review all associated documents with each plan set, and use the included checklist to be sure all steps are completed prior to starting the plan review process.

Floorplan Options

Documents

PLAN A 1200 SQFT – 3 BEDROOM, 1 BATH	ADU Letter (Multi-Lingual) ADU Checklist (required) ADU Checklist Guidance 36″ x 24″ PDF 17″ x 11″ PDF 2004 CAD FILE 2010 CAD FILE
PLAN B 1200 SQFT – 2 BEDROOM, 1 BATH	ADU Letter (Multi-Lingual) ADU Checklist (required) ADU Checklist Guidance 36″ x 24″ PDF 17″ x 11″ PDF 2004 CAD FILE 2010 CAD FILE
PLAN C 1200 SQFT – 2 BEDROOM, 2 BATH	ADU Letter (Multi-Lingual) ADU Checklist (required) ADU Checklist Guidance 36″ x 24″ PDF 17″ x 11″ PDF 2004 CAD FILE 2010 CAD FILE
PLAN D 1000 SQFT – 1 BEDROOM, 1.5 BATH	ADU Letter (Multi-Lingual) ADU Checklist (required) ADU Checklist Guidance 36″ x 24″ PDF 17″ x 11″ PDF 2004 CAD FILE 2010 CAD FILE
PLAN E 800 SQFT – 1 BEDROOM, 1 BATH	ADU Letter (Multi-Lingual) ADU Checklist (required) ADU Checklist Guidance 36″ x 24″ PDF 17″ x 11″ PDF 2004 CAD FILE 2010 CAD FILE
PLAN F 600 SQFT – 1 BEDROOM, 1 BATH	ADU Letter (Multi-Lingual) ADU Checklist (required) ADU Checklist Guidance 36″ x 24″ PDF 17″ x 11″ PDF 2004 CAD FILE 2010 CAD FILE

FAQ – Single Dwelling Unit Zones Outside of the Coastal Overlay Zone

Can I build a new detached JADU?

No, a JADU must be within the envelope of an existing Single Primary Dwelling Unit, within a proposed Single Primary Dwelling Unit or within an attached garage. 

Can I have an access door between my JADU and my primary dwelling unit?

Yes, but the JADU must also have a separate exterior entry.

Can I have an access door between my ADU and my primary unit?

No.

Am I required to provide a kitchen in my ADU or JADU?

Yes. ADUs must have a permanent facility for cooking. This includes the installation of a sink, refrigeration facilities, as well as a stove, a range top or an oven.  JADUs must have an efficiency kitchen, which shall include a cooking facility with appliances, a food preparation counter and storage cabinets that are of reasonable size in relation to the size of the JADU.

Do I have to replace any parking spaces if I convert or demolish a garage or carport to a JADU or ADU?

No. However, if the construction of an ADU or JADU involves the conversion or demolition of an existing covered parking structure and the existing driveway curb is not in conformance with current city standards, the driveway shall be closed to the satisfaction of the City Engineer. 

I am in the Campus Impact area of the Parking Impact Overlay Zone. Do I have to replace any parking spaces if I convert or demolish a garage or carport and construct a JADU or ADU?

No.

I am at the maximum allowed floor area ratio of my zone, can I still construct an ADU? If so, what is the maximum size I can construct?

Can I use my existing driveway as a parking space? 

Yes. The parking spaces must meet minimum dimension standards. 9’ x 18’ for parking spaces with wall or column on one side. 9’-6” x 18’ for parking spaces with a wall or column on two sides.  8’ x 18’ for all others.

If I convert my existing garage to a JADU or ADU and my existing driveway length is less than the minimum driveway’s dimension, do I have to close the curb-cut and install new curb, gutter, and sidewalk?

No.

I have previously permitted floor area encroaching into my front setback and/or street-side setback. Can I convert this area to an ADU?

Yes, however, no additional floor area can encroach into the front and/or street-side setbacks.

If I want to construct an ADU or JADU with a balcony, rooftop deck, or exterior stairs, are there any regulations I should be mindful of?

Yes. These proposed encroachments should be in conformance with  §131.0461 of the San Diego Municipal Code.

I am in a Single Dwelling Unit Zone, but I have previously permitted multiple dwelling units. How many ADUs can I build?

The regulations allow for the following:

• •    Two detached ADUs.
• •    The conversion of 25% of the existing previously permitted multiple dwelling units.
• •    Unlimited ADUs when converting non-habitable areas of an existing multiple dwelling unit building.

FAQ – Multiple Dwelling Unit Zones Outside of the Coastal Overlay Zone

I am in a Multiple Dwelling Unit Zone, can I build a JADU?

No.

I am in a zone that allows residential and commercial uses, can I build an ADU?

Yes, however, there must be at least one existing or proposed primary dwelling unit.

I am in a zone that allows residential and commercial uses and have no existing dwelling units. Can I propose ADUs only?

No, there must be at least one existing or proposed primary dwelling unit. 

I have a multiple dwelling unit building in a Multiple Dwelling Unit Zone, can I build new additional floor area to the existing building to create ADU(s)?

No. The new floor area must be detached from the existing building.

Am I required to provide a kitchen in my ADU?

Yes. ADUs must have a permanent facility for cooking. This includes the installation of a sink, refrigeration facilities, as well as a stove, a range top or an oven.

Do I have to replace any parking spaces if I convert or demolish a garage or carport?

No. 

I am in the Campus Impact Area of the Parking Impact Overlay Zone. Do I have to replace any parking spaces if I convert or demolish a garage or carport?

No.

I am at the floor area ratio maximum for my zone, what is the largest new ADU I can build?

1 detached ADU with 800 square feet of new gross floor area. Exterior wall thickness is included in the gross floor area. See SDMC  §113.0234 Calculating Gross Floor Area.

“San Diego County ADU regulations for 2023”

“Understanding San Diego County’s ADU laws”

“How to navigate San Diego County’s ADU zoning regulations”

“A guide to San Diego County’s ADU building codes”

“Navigating the legal requirements for building an ADU in San Diego County”

“San Diego County’s ADU permit process: A step-by-step guide”

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